Abstract
A practical and sensitive method for detection and quantification of soluble complement-fixing immune complexes in sera of patients with various disease states has been developed. The assay is based on inhibition of complement-dependent sheep red cell hemolysis mediated by polyclonal IgM rheumatoid factor. Aggregated human IgG was used as an in vitro model of C-fixing human immune complexes and was quantified by its ability to inhibit hemolysis of sensitized sheep red cells by isolated IgM rheumatoid factor. The limit of sensitivity of this assay was 1–3 μg/ml. Fixation of complement in competition with isolated IgM rheumatoid factor, resulting in inhibition of hemolysis of sensitized sheep red cells, was used for detection and quantification of immune complexes in human sera. IgM rheumatoid factor was incubated with sensitised sheep red cells followed by addition of test sera; guinea pig complement was added; and the amount of IgM rheumatoid factor mediated hemolysis was determined spectrophotometrically and referred to a standard curve of inhibition of hemolysis by increasing amounts of aggregated human gamma-globulin. Good discrimination between sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus patients compared with normal and hospitalized subjects was found.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
